Negative Numbers Worksheets - Free Printable

Let's solve the problems step by step, using the number line concept as suggested in the worksheet. We'll go through each question carefully, explaining how to work with negative numbers.

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Part 1: Using the Number Line

We are given a number line from -8 to 16.

#### 1. Start at 2. Take away 4. What number are you on now?
- Start at 2.
- "Take away 4" means subtract 4 → move left 4 units.
- 2 − 4 = -2
✔ Answer: -2

#### 2. Start at -1. Add on 4. What number are you on now?
- Start at -1.
- "Add on 4" means add 4 → move right 4 units.
- -1 + 4 = 3
✔ Answer: 3

#### 3. Start at 5. Take away 8. What number are you on now?
- Start at 5.
- Subtract 8 → move left 8 units.
- 5 − 8 = -3
✔ Answer: -3

#### 4. Start at 12. Take away 18. What number are you on now?
- Start at 12.
- Subtract 18 → move left 18 units.
- 12 − 18 = -6
✔ Answer: -6

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Part 2: Work out these questions in the same way

We’ll now solve the following addition and subtraction problems involving negative numbers.

> Remember:
> - Adding a negative is like subtracting: `a + (-b) = a - b`
> - Subtracting a negative is like adding: `a - (-b) = a + b`

Let’s solve each:

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5. 8 - 11 = ?
8 − 11 = -3
(Start at 8, move left 11 → ends at -3)

6. 4 - 8 = ?
4 − 8 = -4

7. -1 + 9 = ?
-1 + 9 = 8
(Start at -1, move right 9 → ends at 8)

8. -4 - 14 = ?
-4 − 14 = -18
(Move left 14 from -4)

9. -7 + 14 = ?
-7 + 14 = 7

10. 11 - 14 = ?
11 − 14 = -3

11. 4 - 9 = ?
4 − 9 = -5

12. 3 - 7 = ?
3 − 7 = -4

13. -3 + 8 = ?
-3 + 8 = 5

14. 13 - 20 = ?
13 − 20 = -7

15. 7 - 11 = ?
7 − 11 = -4

16. 16 - 16 = ?
16 − 16 = 0

17. 9 - 15 = ?
9 − 15 = -6

18. 1 - 16 = ?
1 − 16 = -15

19. -7 + 10 = ?
-7 + 10 = 3

20. -5 + 14 = ?
-5 + 14 = 9

21. -2 - 9 = ?
-2 − 9 = -11

22. -5 + 20 = ?
-5 + 20 = 15

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Part 3: Now have a go at these without using the number line

These involve larger numbers and more complex operations.

23. 22 - 35 = ?
22 − 35 = -13

24. 18 - 38 = ?
18 − 38 = -20

25. -4 + 36 = ?
-4 + 36 = 32

26. 15 - 35 = ?
15 − 35 = -20

27. 20 - 60 = ?
20 − 60 = -40

28. 40 - 26 = ?
40 − 26 = 14

29. -10 + 50 = ?
-10 + 50 = 40

30. -15 - 50 = ?
-15 − 50 = -65

31. 12 - 20 = ?
12 − 20 = -8

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✔ Final Answers:

| Question | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| 1 | -2 |
| 2 | 3 |
| 3 | -3 |
| 4 | -6 |
| 5 | -3 |
| 6 | -4 |
| 7 | 8 |
| 8 | -18 |
| 9 | 7 |
| 10 | -3 |
| 11 | -5 |
| 12 | -4 |
| 13 | 5 |
| 14 | -7 |
| 15 | -4 |
| 16 | 0 |
| 17 | -6 |
| 18 | -15 |
| 19 | 3 |
| 20 | 9 |
| 21 | -11 |
| 22 | 15 |
| 23 | -13 |
| 24 | -20 |
| 25 | 32 |
| 26 | -20 |
| 27 | -40 |
| 28 | 14 |
| 29 | 40 |
| 30 | -65 |
| 31 | -8 |

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🔍 Key Concepts Used:

- Subtracting a positive → move left on number line
- Adding a positive → move right
- Adding a negative → same as subtracting
- Subtracting a negative → same as adding

For example:
- 5 − (−3) = 5 + 3 = 8
- But none of these problems involve double negatives, so we didn’t need that here.

Let me know if you'd like a visual explanation or a printable version!